I am available to speak with groups both large and small, on a variety of topics including but not limited to: Small scale restorative agriculture and its role in relocalizing economies, the role of money in contemporary American society, unschooling and connecting children with nature and community, the rewards and challenges of living off-grid, and the relationship between humans and bacteria and how this relationship informs an evolved understanding of nutrition.

I really enjoy connecting with people of all ages and walks of life, and particularly appreciate the opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue.

“Ben Hewitt’s presentation at the CityWorks (X)Po was a highlight of the conference. As he was speaking, I looked out at the crowd, and I could see almost everyone smiling; Ben engaged and charmed the audience like nobody else at the conference. His presentation perfectly balanced personal narrative, objective analysis of the issues surrounding local foods, and thought-provoking insights. Attendees came away impressed, inspired, and informed, whether they were die-hard locavores or relatively new to the topic of local food systems.” – John Blackburn, conference organizer

February 2: Waterbury/Duxbury Food Council Community Potluck. Harwood Union High School, Waterbury, Vermont.

“Ben’s book and presentation were timely and relevant to the interests of Marlboro students. During a pre-lecture dinner, he engaged students in casual conversations that he was then able to weave into the formal presentation. He showed poise and humor as he fielded questions that were alternatively supportive and skeptical, and was clearly prepared to discuss broader issues that stemmed from his talk.” — Ken Schneck, Dean of Students at Marlboro College

Share this:

Subscribe by Email

"Nesting deeply into a farmstead requires skill, patience, and the right mindset. Sharing his insights after nearly two decades of this life, Ben Hewitt's success beckons others to follow. Are you intimidated by a non-corporate farmstead life? The Nourishing Homestead empowers anyone aspiring to such a life: yes, you can."
—Joel Salatin, farmer and author

"Inspiring and informative. A brilliant union of theory and practice." —Shannon Hayes, The Radical Homemaker

"If Walden were a how-to book and updated for the twenty first century, The Nourishing Homestead would be it. Whether you have land or not, are a hardcore homesteader or a suburban gardener, you'll find this book packed with countless how-to gems for personal and family liberty. The practical usefulness of this book is hard to overstate; the Hewitts have written a manual girded by direct experience alone, not ideology--a true rarity." —Ben Falk, author of The Resilient Farm and Homestead

"In this fine and eloquent and moving book, Ben Hewitt takes a principled stand for the unconventional childhood, for the intellectual and emotional and soulful nurture of nature."
-- Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle

"Ben walks you along the lanes of his small family farm right into the heart of parenting. He does not judge the new normal of life’s fever pitch pace but fills you with the courage to follow your hopes that may well transform your family" - Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting

“This is a beautifully written, honest, introspective, soul-revealing, and soul-stirring account of one family’s choice to live close to nature and to allow their children to learn naturally, without school, in a self-directed manner. The book’s biggest message, I think, is that we do have choices; we can chart our own lives, we don't have to follow the crowd if we don’t want to.”—Peter Gray, Research Professor at Boston College and author of Free to Learn: How Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.

"This book fills me with both sadness and joy. My sadness is for the millions of children locked in schools, looking out the windows as the precious days of childhood pass them by. My joy comes from knowing this eloquent book will inspire many to choose a different path." - Charles Eisenstein, author of Sacred Economics and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible